China unveils action plan for improving rural living environment

BEIJING -The Chinese central authorities unveiled a three-year action plan Monday for improving the rural living environment.

The action plan was jointly released by the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council.

It is highly relevant for the country to accomplish its goal of building a moderately prosperous society by 2020. It has great significance on the well-being of farmers and harmony of rural society, according to the document.

"Although progress has been made, the living environment in rural China is very unbalanced with many areas in the grip of dirtiness and disorder. It falls short of people's expectations by far and marks a key weakness of social and economic development," it said.

To reverse that, the country aims to make remarkable improvements in rural living environment by 2020. Villages should be clean and tidy, and villagers should have enhanced hygiene and health awareness.